Description: The black-spotted newt (Notophthalmus meridionalus) is the largest extant member of the Notophthalmus genus. It has a snout-to-vent length of 42 to 57 mm in adults, with females being the larger sex. The black-spotted newt grows to 2.9 to 4.3 inches long and is typically an olive green in color with numerous black spots. The underside is often yellow in color, which can sometimes extend up to the sides. These light markings tend to condense into larger spots that accumulate on the sides of the amphibian that eventually blend into a broken line extending from the base of the head to the end of the tail. The underside is often yellow in color, which can sometimes extend up to the sides. Sometimes the appearance of this newt will have a stripe down the back, pale brown or russet in color. The sides are blue-green and are noticeably lighter than the back; frequently there will be a white exhibited on the lower sides. The venter of the black-spotted newt is yellow to orange. They have smooth skin, and a paddle-shaped, vertically flattened tail. The black-spotted newt (Notophthalmus meridionalis) has a lighter dorsum color than the Mexican newt (Notophthalmus kallerti). The larvae of the black-spotted newt are generally gray-brown and have a dark midventral stripe. They are also patterned with small, light-colored spots forming lateral or ventrolateral rows.

Habitat: Black-spotted newts prefer shallow-water habitats, heavy with vegetation. However, this type of habitat uncommonly occurs in the northern part of the specie’s range. Otherwise, the black-spotted newt can be found among vegetation that is submerged in water. During the dry season, they are believed to burrow underground or remain under debris. Usually the black-spotted newt will burrow less than two meters deep within these saturated and vegetated areas. Since black-spotted newts prefer shallow-water habitats, heavy with vegetation; during the dry season, they are believed to burrow underground or remain under debris. When water dries up, they can be found under rocks and other structures. However, individuals are not believed to make it very far if forced to leave their habitats if the water completely dries up.

Range: Notophthalmus meridionalis can be found in the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosí in Mexico, barely extending into northeastern Hidalgo and Puebla. It is also found in southern Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. Salamanders within the genus Notophthalmus are found in North America exclusively. There are three extant species: eastern newt (N. viridescens), black-spotted newt (N. meridionalis), and striped newt (N. perstriatus). The black-spotted newt is restricted to southeastern Texas and northeastern Mexico. The progression of the black-spotted newt from its common ancestor is hypothesized to have started around the late Miocene epoch. The North American tropics retreated south causing an isolation of the Southeastern American plate.

Found in these States: TX

Diet: They are carnivorous, consuming a wide variety of prey, including insects, aquatic invertebrates, leeches, and other amphibians.

Reproduction: The life history of this species is not well known and the presence of an eft stage has yet to be determined. Breeding is not known to occur in any specific month, but rather is tied to rainfall. Breeding occurs year-round. After reproduction, the eggs are attached to a substrate within the water among the submerged vegetation preferably in shallow water.

Status: Listed as Endangered because its Area of Occupancy is probably less than 500km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and the extent of its breeding habitat, the number of sub-populations, and the number of mature individuals, in southern United States and northeastern Mexico is declining.

Taxonomy: